A QSC Q-Sys integrated system platform has been installed at Camp Randall Stadium at the University of Wisconsin, as part of a $1.4 million AV system upgrade. Redundant Q-Sys Core 4000 processors provide processing, control and management of all audio at the 80,000-seat venue. The system handles every aspect of game day audio, from the main PA and all general access and VIP area sound reinforcement to post-game operations and broadcast media facilities at the stadium.

The stadium’s new AV system was designed by South Dakota-based scoreboard and LED screen specialist Daktronics. A video display at the north end of the stadium also incorporates a large point source PA loudspeaker system. Senior audio engineer and electronic systems technician Shay M McElwain and the team at the university’s athletic department provided design and commissioning support.

“We were very fortunate to have Daktronics audio project engineer David Sturzenbecher assigned to the install,” said McElwain. “He performed a fantastic install and came up with some really clever programming to make the system thrive.”

The new Q-Sys system also includes a total of 35 I/O Frames and standalone I/O-22 units plus a number of Paging Stations and TSC Series touchscreen panels, along with 93 PowerLight 3 Series PL380, PL340 and PL325 amplifiers.

“The primary Core 4000 is in the north amp room that’s basically underneath the scoreboard, and the back-up core is in a completely different area of the stadium,” continued McElwain. The two Cores are on a fibre ring topology offering total redundancy of all audio signals. “Those Cores are also handling the emergency paging and building fire alarm interface.”

Thirty-three I/O Frames and two I/O-22s located throughout the stadium handle signal transport from the main control room to the main and auxiliary loudspeaker systems in the concourses, concession areas and restrooms, as well as the various club and VIP suites, plus a party deck that is available for corporate and other events. “The clubs, suites and various other function rooms each have a TSC-3 touch panel to control the source and volume,” explained McElwain. “There’s a playlist of songs housed locally on the cores, so they can listen to music if they want to, and it’s integrated with our TV system.”

The new Camp Randall Q-Sys Core 4000 systems join other Q-Sys Cores previously installed on campus. There are two Core 3000s and two Core 250is already installed in both the Kohl Center and the UW Field House.